Jimmy Cliff

One of Jamaica's most prolific and innovative performers and a recent inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Jimmy Cliff has been hailed as the first true superstar of Jamaican music. As a uniquely talented singer-songwriter, he is one of the first artists responsible for disseminating reggae music to a global audience. With over 25 studio albums to his name, Cliff is the only living musician to hold the Order of Merit for his contributions to Jamaican culture. But the road to international acclaim has not been a straightforward one. Born James Chambers into an underdeveloped country town near Jamaica s north coast, Cliff has battled poverty, controversy and prejudice indeed, his starring role as Ivan in the ground-breaking film The Harder They Come drew on aspects of Jimmy's own youthful experiences. In this unauthorised biography, David Katz draws on extensive interviews conducted with the artist and his peers, as well as press archives and other sources, to give a unique insight into the maturing of a man, a talent and a nation.